GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Compel , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Compelled ; p. pr. & vb. n. Compelling.] [L. compellere, compulsum, to drive together, to compel, urge; com- + pellere to drive: cf. OF. compellir. See Pulse.]
   To drive or urge with force, or irresistibly; to force; to constrain; to oblige; to necessitate, either by physical or moral force.
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   Wolsey . . . compelled the people to pay up the whole subsidy at once.
   Hallam.
   
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   And they compel one Simon . . . to bear his cross.
   Mark xv. 21.
   
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   To take by force or violence; to seize; to exact; to extort. [R.]
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   Commissions, which compel from each
   The sixth part of his substance.
   Shak.
   
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   To force to yield; to overpower; to subjugate.
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   Easy sleep their weary limbs compelled.
   Dryden.
   
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   I compel all creatures to my will.
   Tennyson.
   
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   To gather or unite in a crowd or company. [A Latinism] “In one troop compelled.” 
   Dryden.
   
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   To call forth; to summon. [Obs.]
   Chapman.
   
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   She had this knight from far compelled.
   Spenser.
   Syn. -- To force; constrain; oblige; necessitate; coerce. See Coerce.
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2.       
   Compel , v. i. To make one yield or submit. “If she can not entreat, I can compel.” 
   Shak.
   
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